Sandy Pond

Overview

Sandy Pond is a 72-acre kettle-hole great pond at Sandy Pond and Snake Hill Roads in Ayer. It is one of a chain of ponds that drain to the Nashua River, and its shoreline is mostly developed with year-round homes.

Fishing

Trout fishing is popular in spring, before the town beach opens and access is easier. Less is known about summer fishing. The pond has produced award-size largemouth bass, chain pickerel, black crappie and white perch.

Species

Species found in MassWildlife surveys: largemouth bass, chain pickerel, white perch, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, brown and yellow bullhead, golden shiner. MassWildlife stocks trout each spring.

Regulations

MassWildlife freshwater fishing regulations apply: https://www.mass.gov/freshwater-fishing-regulations. Confirm current seasons, limits and any special rules there; this page is not a legal source.

Licensing

Anglers 15 and older need a Massachusetts fishing license (MassWildlife).

Access

The town of Ayer runs a beach off Snake Hill Road on the southwest shore with parking for about 14 vehicles. During swim season, parking is for residents or permit holders only, and fishing and boat launching from the beach are prohibited. You can park at the beach and carry a boat to, or shore fish at, several unimproved dirt launches a little farther up Snake Hill Road on the west shore; there is no parking along Snake Hill Road.

Water facts

72 acres; average depth 15 ft; max 32 ft; vegetation limited to nearshore areas.

Safety & advisories

Clean all boats and gear before moving between waters to stop aquatic hitchhikers (MassWildlife; see ProtectYourWaters.net).

Nearby waters

• Long Pond · 1.5 km (MA)
• Spectacle Pond · 2.9 km (MA)
• Knops Pond · 3.9 km (MA)
• Lost Lake · 4.5 km (MA)
• Duck Pond · 4.6 km (MA)
• Robbins Pond · 4.8 km (MA)

More in Middlesex

• Squannacook River (MA)
• Baddacook Pond (MA)
• Knops Pond (MA)
• Nissitissit River (MA)
• Althea Lake (MA)
• Barkers Pond (MA)